Coalition Demands Immediate Visa Ban On Fadahunsi, Other Alleged Inciters, Ahead of Osun Poll

….Group urges US, UK, EU and African countries to impose travel restrictions; calls on Osun voters to reject politics of violence

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance (CCSOGG) has called on the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states and African countries to immediately consider visa bans and other appropriate travel restrictions against Senator Francis Fadahunsi and any other political actors found culpable of inciting violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

The Coalition said the demand became necessary following the widespread condemnation that greeted a viral video in which Senator Fadahunsi was alleged to have called on his supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The controversy has already attracted the attention of law-enforcement and human-rights authorities. The Osun State Police Command invited the senator for questioning over the remarks, while the National Human Rights Commission called for his arrest and suspension. Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the remarks, describing them as dangerous and allegedly aimed at inciting violence.

The Coalition said it was particularly disturbed that such language allegedly came from a serving member of the National Assembly at a time when political parties, candidates, civil society organizations and election observers are expected to be encouraging peaceful participation.

“We consider any direct or indirect call for the killing or physical elimination of political opponents to be totally unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. Political disagreement must never become a licence for violence or murder,” the Coalition said.

It stressed that the fact that Senator Fadahunsi has subsequently explained that he meant “kill Accord with votes” rather than physical violence does not erase the seriousness of the original controversy, particularly given the timing, context and widespread public concern generated by the video.

Reports indicate that the senator has since offered that clarification following the backlash.

According to the Coalition, the international community must send a strong message that political actors who recklessly endanger the lives of citizens cannot expect to enjoy unrestricted international mobility while Nigerians bear the consequences of politically motivated violence.

“We, therefore, call on the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union countries and all African nations to place Senator Francis Fadahunsi and every other individual who is credibly established to have incited electoral violence on appropriate visa-watch or travel-restriction lists, subject to due process and independent verification of the evidence.”

The group noted that Amnesty International and other civil society organisations have already raised serious concerns over the alleged remarks, while the police have commenced steps to establish the circumstances surrounding the controversial statement.

The Coalition further appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, political parties and election observers to remain vigilant and ensure that the August 15 election is conducted in an atmosphere free from intimidation, threats and violence.

It urged security agencies to investigate all allegations of incitement without political favouritism, insisting that anybody found to have encouraged violence against political opponents should face the full weight of the law.

“We must not allow the desperation of a few politicians to destroy the peace of an entire state. Osun belongs to all its citizens, irrespective of political affiliation. No election is worth the blood of a single Nigerian,” the Coalition declared.

The Coalition also called on international and domestic election observers to pay particular attention to inflammatory statements, threats, movement of political thugs, attacks on opposition supporters and other developments capable of undermining the credibility of the election.

It reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, free, fair and credible Osun governorship election, urging voters not to be intimidated or discouraged by what it described as the “desperate tactics of politicians who may believe that violence can influence the will of the people.

“The people of Osun must come out peacefully and exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice. Do not allow threats, propaganda or inflammatory statements to drive you away from the ballot box. Your vote is your voice, and your peaceful participation is the strongest defence of democracy.”

The Coalition urged all candidates and their supporters to sign up to the principles of peaceful electoral competition and accept the outcome of a credible election, while calling on the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun before, during and after Saturday’s poll.